NEWSLETTER 2/08

In our continuing endeavours to keep members up to
date with progress on the proposed development of the Society’s facilities
and grounds, we can advise that the following has taken place since our
newsletter of January.

OBJECTIONS

As we mentioned in our last newsletter, eleven
objections have been received. Steve Jaspan has met with some of the
objectors and has given a detailed explanation as to why we feel the development
is necessary, what it entails, and the effect on those living close by to the
club. These meetings are on going and we are confident that those who are, at
this stage, objectors will soon have a full understanding of our plans and
then support the proposed development. We believe that many of the objectors
have misunderstood the content of the application.

We can add that Virgin Active has been fully
appraised of the plans, and by and large are impressed.

SURVEYS

The Traffic and Infra-structure Survey is
continuing and is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

An Environmental Impact Study is to be undertaken
in the near future.

MEETINGS WITH SUB CLUBS

These are the most important components of the
plan at the moment and meetings have begun. It is heart warming to note that
the majority of the six sub clubs with whom we have met have been
constructive and upbeat in their approach. It is obvious that the main mood
of sub clubs is that the development is in the overall interest of the Society
as a whole, and those who have reservations at this stage will, in due
course, we hope become similarly enthusiastic about the changes.

The meetings with the remaining sub clubs will be
concluded within the next week and comments collated before the month end.
After that the requests submitted by them will be forwarded to the architects
for their consideration as to how they impact on the overall plan as they see
it, and to amend the plan accordingly.

It must be remembered that we have limited space
due to the sitting of Virgin Active and the clubhouse, and we do not have the
luxury of starting from scratch which would be a totally different scenario
and approach.

We have suggested to the developer that a forum be
held next month for sub clubs and members to ask questions and meet the
developer and professional team. We feel confident that the developer will be
amenable to this.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE OLD
EDWARDIAN SOCIETY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

NEWSLETTER 1/08

In order to keep our members fully up to date with progress
on the redevelopment of the Society’s facilities, it is our intention to
publish a newsletter on, at least, a monthly basis. However, should any major
news become apparent, this will be communicated to you on a more regular
basis.

From our point of view it is imperative that the members
know what is happening at all times and even if progress is quiet or slow,
you will be advised. This is particularly relevant as there will be no sign
of any activity on the premises for at least a year and therefore, the
impression may be that “nothing” is happening. With a project such as this
there is an incredible amount of “behind the scenes” work and negotiation
that has to take place before the first signs of building or alterations will
be seen.

So where do we stand?

The rezoning application was submitted in November 2007.

The time period for objections has closed, and in all,
eleven were received. These were mostly, if not all, from local residents.
Steve Jaspan, who is assisting the Developer with the Town Planning
requirements, will meet personally with those people, and will fully explain
the proposed plans to them and he is confident that most if not all objectors
will, at the end of the day, be satisfied. This interaction is to take place
during February.Should we be unable
to satisfy all the objectors, then a hearing will have to take place which
would be, at the earliest in June, or even as late as September.

He has already met with the Ratepayers Association who
indicated support for the basic plan in principle but have asked, inter
alia, for any building that is to be constructed to be no more than three
stories in height.

Various technical reports have to be submitted to the
Johannesburg Council, some prepared by the Council themselves and some by the
Professional team on the proposed project. One is a Traffic Impact Study but
as there will be no increase in either business or activities on the
premises, this Study is not expected to have any adverse effect on the
project. The entrance to the Apartments which are envisaged to be built on
the site of the present tennis courts, will be in 3rd Street and
therefore have no adverse impact on the busy main road, namely 11th
Avenue.

All reports are expected to be in the hands of the
Council by the end of February. Following these reports, we will have a
reasonable idea as to how Council will react.

It must be stressed that our plans are in line with
Council’s Policy and Vision for Johannesburg. That is to say that they are
looking for increased residential densities on arterial roads and 11th
Avenue falls within that category.

From an internal point of view, the most important
action now is for sub- clubs to complete and return the questionnaire that Kevin
Webber has sent out. So far very few completed forms have been received.
Until these forms are completed, and the sub-clubs have nominated their
representatives to negotiate their specific requirements with Kevin Webber’s
sub-committee, no progress on this front can be achieved. It is in your own
sub-clubs interest to attend to this as soon as possible in order that any
specific requirements you may require can be studied and then passed onto the
architects for further action.

Kevin and the Sub-Committee will be setting up meetings
with Sub-Club representatives early in February.

No detailed architects drawings can be prepared for
submission to the Executive until such requirements have been discussed and
agreed, so it is imperative that the various sub-clubs act on the forms that
they have received with the minimum of any further delay.

We expect this exercise to take at least six months to
complete once discussions start with the sub clubs.

The rezoning application submitted to the Council is to allow
for the proposed building of the apartments. Again, we stress that the area
for building such apartments is restricted to approximately the 5 acres
currently housing the tennis courts, swimming pool, basketball court and car
park area between the tennis courts and the main Oval. The rest of the
sporting facilities will not be affected.

We again stress that it is highly unlikely that any
evidence of builders on site will be seen during 2008 so it is “business as
usual” for all sub clubs during this year.

Should anyone have any specific questions with regard to
the Town Planning aspects of these proposed developments, they can call Steve
Jaspan on 011 7280042.